Torque Boot Camp - Tempe, AZ
by Ken Finney · 11/03/2008 (3:20 pm) · 7 comments
Had a grand time in Tempe, AZ delivering the most recent Torque Boot Camp, at the University of Advancing Technology. Quite an interesting school--lots of gamey things happening all over. My favorite was the life-sized targets on the way to the Cafeteria: on one side was a picture of a Pirate with the caption "Ninja Target", and on the other side was a pic of a Ninja with the opposite caption!
We had about a dozen attendees show up for the classes: I did a day and a half of lectures, and a day and a half of hands-on lab tutorials, along with several hours with a few of the attendees, solving their personal project problems. We looked at object classes, networking, the simulation itself, and under-the-hood at other core technologies. We worked with art, with TorqueScript and the core engine C++ code.
At one point, one of the attendees asked me to help him get my old WaterCraft resource working in 1.5.2. That was an interesting experience - I think I had written it for version 1.1 or so...so I was bit worried that we might not have time. However, on the last day, in the waning minutes (actually, after the class was over) we finally got it going.
We had people there from UAT, from Collins College (Kevin says, "Hi Matt"), and Devry. We even had a couple of my compatriots down from Quebec.
Some of the feedback indicates that 5 days would have been better than the 3 we did, and I agree. However 3 days is usually easier to fit into a work schedule - at least according to my personal experience. If you plan on attending a boot camp and think that 5 days would be better - make sure to let GG know well in advance. Perhaps two offerings - basic and extended, could be arranged.
---
Arizona is kind of like being at the beach, everywhere you go. It was hot at times - in the high nineties, while back in Ontario folks were being trounced by a blizzard!
It was a rockin' time -- thanks to everyone for making it such a success.
We had about a dozen attendees show up for the classes: I did a day and a half of lectures, and a day and a half of hands-on lab tutorials, along with several hours with a few of the attendees, solving their personal project problems. We looked at object classes, networking, the simulation itself, and under-the-hood at other core technologies. We worked with art, with TorqueScript and the core engine C++ code.
At one point, one of the attendees asked me to help him get my old WaterCraft resource working in 1.5.2. That was an interesting experience - I think I had written it for version 1.1 or so...so I was bit worried that we might not have time. However, on the last day, in the waning minutes (actually, after the class was over) we finally got it going.
We had people there from UAT, from Collins College (Kevin says, "Hi Matt"), and Devry. We even had a couple of my compatriots down from Quebec.
Some of the feedback indicates that 5 days would have been better than the 3 we did, and I agree. However 3 days is usually easier to fit into a work schedule - at least according to my personal experience. If you plan on attending a boot camp and think that 5 days would be better - make sure to let GG know well in advance. Perhaps two offerings - basic and extended, could be arranged.
---
Arizona is kind of like being at the beach, everywhere you go. It was hot at times - in the high nineties, while back in Ontario folks were being trounced by a blizzard!
It was a rockin' time -- thanks to everyone for making it such a success.
#2
11/03/2008 (4:18 pm)
There's a dark cloud of envy over my head right now. 
#3
11/03/2008 (5:14 pm)
Sweet! Big ups Ken. Sounds like you rocked it. Thanks! 
#4
You can hold one of those torque boot camps at my house anytime. :-)
11/03/2008 (6:19 pm)
Arizona is a desert. The beach usually has water. :-D (just giving you a bad time)You can hold one of those torque boot camps at my house anytime. :-)
#5
11/04/2008 (8:05 am)
Heh, well I usually had a bottle of water with me everywhere I went. So water + sand + heat = BEACH!!!!
#6
11/04/2008 (12:55 pm)
Yes, Ken was a succes at the boot camp and thanks for everyhitng that you helped me with on my project. I'll be keeping you and hopefully start a post on the paintball project that we are starting to work on.
#7
Hmmm, I hope I'll be in the fridge next to the beer :-)
11/04/2008 (1:18 pm)
"I'll be keeping you ..."Hmmm, I hope I'll be in the fridge next to the beer :-)
Employee Michael Perry
GarageGames
I don't know why, but I find that line very amusing =)